Morant's elbow sprain sidelines the Grizzlies' star, leaving the team to navigate a tight playoff race with a suddenly uncertain future.
Ja Morant’s latest injury setback arrives at a moment when the margin for error in the Western Conference is rapidly shrinking for the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies announced Friday that Morant sustained a UCL sprain in his left elbow during the team’s Jan. 21 home game against the Atlanta Hawks. The team said Morant is expected to make a full recovery and will be reevaluated in approximately three weeks, with further updates to be provided as appropriate.
The injury occurred in the second half of that game and was addressed earlier this week by coach Tuomas Iisalo, who explained how the contact happened.
“He’s still being evaluated,” Iisalo said. “But it was one of the chase-down blocks that he had during that game where he made some contact and hurt his left elbow.”
Morant had just returned from a six-game absence and was beginning to stabilize a Memphis offense that struggled to finish games without him. In 20 games this season, Morant is averaging 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 8.1 assists in 28.5 minutes per game. He is shooting 41.0% from the field, 23.5% from three-point range, and 89.7% from the free-throw line, with a 52.1% true shooting percentage.
After the game against Atlanta, Morant downplayed the severity of his elbow injury — comparing it to "a little sting, funny bone." He added that he "was good, though."
The Jan. 21 loss to Atlanta still highlighted Morant’s value even as the injury emerged. He recorded 23 points, two rebounds, and 12 assists in 30 minutes, adding three blocks while consistently pushing the pace. Two games earlier, he posted 24 points, five rebounds, and 13 assists against Orlando, finishing a plus-26 in 28 minutes.
Those performances underscored how sharply Memphis’ offensive ceiling rises when Morant is available. Without him, the Grizzlies have lacked a consistent late-game creator, a problem that has contributed to repeated fourth-quarter collapses. Memphis has now blown double-digit leads a league-high 12 times this season, including Friday’s loss to New Orleans.
The timing of Morant’s injury further complicates Memphis’ position in the standings. The Grizzlies sit just outside the play-in picture at 18-25, but the teams around them have begun to create separation. The Dallas Mavericks and LA Clippers have both surged recently, while the Portland Trail Blazers have climbed into the top nine amid a strong stretch of play. As those teams stack wins, Memphis’ margin for surviving injuries and missed opportunities continues to narrow.
The reevaluation timeline suggests the Grizzlies will proceed cautiously. While UCL injuries are most often discussed in throwing sports, elbow stability is critical for guards who rely on shooting, touch finishes, passing velocity, and ball control. Rushing Morant back would risk lingering issues that could compromise those elements.
Morant’s availability has been the defining variable of Memphis’ season. When he plays, the Grizzlies have clearer structure and a higher margin for error. When he is out, the burden shifts to a young roster that has struggled with execution and composure late in games.
With Western Conference rivals gaining ground, Memphis’ ability to remain relevant in the play-in race may hinge on how it navigates the next three weeks. Whether the Grizzlies can tread water without Morant — and address the late-game issues that have persisted even when he’s on the floor — will shape how much runway remains once his status is reevaluated.